Design-based Transformative Mixed Methods Design

Design-Based Transformative Mixed Methods Design integrates Donna Mertens' transformative paradigm — which foregrounds social justice, equity, and the perspectives of marginalized groups — with the iterative intervention cycles of design-based research. It systematically combines quantitative and qualitative data across successive design-test-refine cycles to both understand and actively improve conditions for underrepresented communities. The approach is prominent in education, public health, and community-engaged research where changing unjust structures is an explicit goal alongside knowledge generation.